On May 25, during the official launch of the "National Medium- and Long-Term Plan for Scientific and Technological Development," the "High-Level Forum on 21st Century Scientific Frontiers and China’s Opportunities," sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (referred to as the Fund Committee), was held in Beijing. The event brought together leading scientists, researchers, and experts from around the world to discuss the future of science and technology, with a particular focus on China's role in advancing global research.
The reporter learned that since its establishment in 1986, the Fund Committee has played a crucial role in shaping China's scientific landscape. Over the years, it has implemented a robust funding system that has significantly boosted basic research across various disciplines. In the field of chemical engineering, Chinese basic research has made remarkable progress, achieving a series of innovative breakthroughs that have drawn international attention.
Chen Yiyu, director of the Fund Committee, highlighted that over the past two decades, the committee has allocated approximately 18 billion yuan in state funds, supporting more than 100,000 research projects. Many of these projects, including those in chemistry, have laid the foundation for major national science and technology initiatives. Several key achievements were directly supported or originated from these funded programs. For instance, in the 2005 National Natural Science Awards, mainland Chinese winners received an average of 16 grants per award, with a total of 34 awards given.
Liang Wenping, deputy director of the Chemical Science Department at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized that under the support of the National Natural Science Foundation, China's basic chemical research has made significant strides. By 2003, the number of chemical papers published in China accounted for 10% of the global total, placing it third behind the United States and Japan. Additionally, groundbreaking work has been achieved in the creation of new materials, molecular interactions, and the study of reaction mechanisms, contributing to the global advancement of chemistry.
Liang also noted that the chemical community generally believes that important progress is being made in basic research. This is due to the deep integration of chemistry with other scientific fields. The push for sustainable development has introduced new challenges and opportunities for chemical research, and China has accumulated substantial theoretical and methodological achievements. However, compared to developed nations such as the U.S., Japan, and European countries, China still needs to enhance its original innovation capabilities. Experts believe that seizing this opportunity is essential for catching up.
Participants at the forum also discussed the future direction of chemical research. They predicted that the scope of chemical studies will expand significantly, with a growing emphasis on multi-level molecular interactions. Theoretical chemistry and chemical biology are expected to be key areas for future breakthroughs. Moreover, green chemistry is anticipated to play a central role in promoting human security, environmental sustainability, and industrial development in the 21st century.
The forum attracted nearly 300 experts from seven countries, including the U.S., Germany, Japan, and Russia. Notably, three Nobel laureates attended and delivered impactful speeches, underscoring the global significance of the event and the importance of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge.
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